By Emmanuel M Kangar Jr. and G. Watson Richards
The Environment Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) under its Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has released a damning 20-page investigative report on multiple mining companies over serious envrionmental violations and damages across Nimba, Bong, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties.
The full 20-page investigative report, as attached, also reveals a pattern of serious and continued environmental damages.
The summary is below:
I) Arcelor Mittal in Nimba County:
Turning now to ArcelorMittal Liberia, the EPA provides an update on the pollution incident associated with the company’s operations
As a result of these findings, and the company’s failure to report the incident within the mandated seventy-two-hour window, the EPA held ArcelorMittal Liberia accountable. The company was fined US$125,000 for the pollution and required to pay an additional US$60,000 to fund a comprehensive environmental assessment covering the Bonla-Viellie-Gbai corridor. I can confirm today that the company has paid these amounts in full.
II) Bea Mountain in Grand Cape Mount County:
The EPA has also concluded its investigation into unauthorized sand mining activities within the Lofa River in Grand Cape Mount County involving Bea Mountain Mining Corporation. The investigation established that industrial-scale sand extraction was carried out using excavators and heavy-duty haul trucks. Approximately 50 percent of the river channel was obstructed, resulting in significant alteration of the natural watercourse. The activity caused severe environmental degradation, including riverbank destabilization, erosion, and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. In response, the EPA has issued an administrative fine of US$50,000 and restoration and monitoring fees of US$20,000, with a mandate to undertake rehabilitation of the affected river system.
III) China Union in Bong County:
In addition to the compliance directive, the EPA has taken enforcement action against China Union following laboratory-confirmed environmental violations at its operations in Bong Mines. The investigation established that the company discharged untreated wastewater into the environment; contaminated surface and groundwater resources, including community water sources; exceeded hazardous pollutants, including chromium and other key water quality parameters; and used unengineered containment systems resulting in uncontrolled environmental discharge.
In response, the EPA has imposed an administrative fine of US$30,000, a restoration monitoring fee of US$20,000, and a mandatory environmental restoration order. China Union is required to immediately halt all sources of contamination, undertake remediation of affected water systems and ecosystems, provide safe drinking water to affected communities, and engage an independent third-party consultant to develop and implement a comprehensive restoration plan.
IV) Nugget Era Mining Company in Gbarpolou County:
The EPA has enforced a shutdown and imposed an administrative fine against Nugget Era Mining Company, a Class B mining operation in Gbarpolu County. EPA findings confirmed illegal mining operations without a permit, environmental risks to Zorballa Creek, and poor environmental practices, including several unreclaimed mining pits. An administrative fine of US$3,000 has been imposed. The company is required to submit an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, an Environmental and Social Management Plan, and rehabilitation plans before any future operations may be considered.
The full 20-page damning investigative report is attached. PLEASE READ IT.
